(Newser)
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A third suspected case of foot and mouth disease has been located in southern England, health officials said, as the EU lifted a ban on slaughtering animals but kept up the prohibition on exporting animal products. Meanwhile, the Guardian reports that British veterinary investigators pinpointed two research labs they say have a “strong probability” of initiating the outbreak.

“Human movement” and one lab’s drainage system are the leading theories behind the spread of the disease, investigators say. Before last week, the last foot and mouth epidemic occurred in 2001 and cost Britain about $17 million dollars. While farmers are concerned about losing money, some consumers are worried about a meat shortage, though the supermarket industry has tried to allay their concerns.